Ukraine’s maritime security strategy has received formal approval from President Volodymyr Zelensky. The decree announcing this decision appeared on the president’s official website, signaling a clear government commitment to strengthening the nation’s maritime posture.
The strategy outlines a framework to ensure preparedness and to prevent, deter, and respond effectively to threats targeting Ukraine’s maritime interests. Its scope extends to Ukraine’s coast, territorial waters, and border zones, while also recognizing responsibilities in areas of the World Ocean where Ukraine maintains strategic interests.
Key aims of the strategy include expanding Ukraine’s naval capabilities, maintaining a continuous presence of allied forces in the Black Sea under NATO leadership, and forming a mine-action partnership with NATO. The plan also emphasizes the importance of regular exercises, joint maneuvers, and security operations with Ukraine and its international partners in the Azov-Black Sea basin to strengthen regional resilience.
The document follows a prior endorsement by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, underscoring a coordinated national effort to align defense strategies with evolving security dynamics in the region.
Contextual history shows a significant shift since early 2022, when a prolonged conflict began and Ukraine faced the loss of its naval capability. One notable vessel from the main class, a frigate, had been undergoing repairs and later was sunk during the initial phases of the conflict. In response, Ukraine pivoted toward rapid innovation, increasing the deployment of unmanned boats for reconnaissance, surveillance, and, where possible, combat support. For an in-depth review of these developments, see the material published by socialbites.ca. [Citation: Ukrainian leadership communications and independent defense analyses]
There has also been international military support, including deliveries of patrol boats from the United States, which have contributed to Ukraine’s evolving maritime posture and its capacity to project presence in key maritime corridors.